Menopause Panel

A dedicated perimenopause and menopause assessment with 10 hormones: estradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, TSH, testosterone, DHEA-S, prolactin, free T3, and free T4. Integrates reproductive hormones with full thyroid function testing, since thyroid disorders are prevalent around menopause and amplify menopausal symptoms in ways that require distinct treatment approaches.

The menopausal transition involves a multi-year decline in ovarian function, typically beginning in the early-to-mid 40s. Rising FSH is usually the earliest laboratory indicator as the pituitary compensates for declining ovarian responsiveness. Estradiol fluctuates erratically before its eventual decline, and progesterone drops as ovulatory cycles become less consistent. Thyroid dysfunction affects up to one in five women around menopause, and its symptoms — weight gain, fatigue, cognitive fog, depression — overlap extensively with menopausal complaints. This panel includes full thyroid assessment with free T3, free T4, and TSH so that thyroid and ovarian contributions can be differentiated, a distinction essential for choosing the right intervention. Testosterone and DHEA-S measure adrenal androgen production, which declines with age and may contribute to reduced energy, muscle mass, and libido during the menopausal transition. Prolactin can exacerbate cycle irregularity when elevated. Together these 10 markers provide the data needed to distinguish normal menopausal changes from treatable hormonal conditions. For individuals still menstruating, days 2-5 of the cycle are preferred. For those with irregular or absent periods, testing on any day is acceptable.